Stylus mounting for reproducing and engraving machines



Jan. 7, 1936. P. M. HENKl-:s Y 2,026,893

STYLUS MOUNTING FOR REPRODUCING AND ENGRAVING MACHINES Filed oct. 2, 1955 Patented Jan. 7, 1936 UNITED STATES tiene PATENT OFFICE STYLUS MOUNTING FOR REPRODUCING AND ENGRAVING MACHINES poration of Wisconsin Application October 2, 1935, Serial No. 43,275

8 Claims.

K This invention relates to certain improvements in stylus mountings for reproducing and engraving machines; and particularly concerns tracing stylusmountings for duplicating, reproducn ing and engraving machinery or other apparatus to which my invention is applicable or to which it canbe in some embodiments adapted; and the objects and nature of the invention will be clear to those skilled in the art from the following description of the accompanying drawing illustrating the preferred mechanical expression or embodiment of the invention from among other forms, constructions and arrangements within the spirit and scope of the invention.

An object of the invention is to provide a mounting for the tracing stylus of reproducing machinery and other apparatus to which the mounting can be adapted, whereby the stylus can be more accurately adjusted and held than in prior devices known to me, and `wherein rotation of the stylus spindle during adjustment and/or operation is avoided.

A further object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in combination, arrange- -5 ment. and organization with the end in View of producing an improved and highly desirable tracing stylus mounting.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, my invention consists in a novel organization of associated elements or features and in certain combinations as more fully explained and specied hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, forming a part hereof p Fig. 1 shows in part a duplicating or reproducing apparatus in vertical longitudinal section, say the apparatus of Patent No. 2,005,696 issued June 18, 1935 to George Gorton Machine Company, Racine, Wisconsin, as assignee, having an embodiment of my instant invention applied thereto and included therein.

Fig. 2 shows in part the 'apparatus of Fig. 1 in vertical longitudinal section in a vertical plane approximately perpendicularV to the vertical plane of the section Fig. 1.

'Ihe function performed by a tracing stylus in reproducing work or in a machine tool of the duplicator type, is well illustrated by the hereinbefore identified patent. In heavy duplicating or reproducing Work'or Vwhereka high degree of accuracy is required, it is important to provide for accurate stylus adjustment with means to accurately maintain the desired set relative positioningand forms of the cutter and stylus, and itis also desirable te maintain the stylus against turning or rotation on its longitudinal axis both after and during stylus adjustment. Sometimes a stylus and/or its carrying barrel and/or its collet, will not be perfectly true, will be slightly eccentric or off center, and if finally adjusted 5 and set in the desired accurate position with respect to the cutter and/or the pattern, rotation thereof will bring about inaccuracy and/or multiply the same, and thereby result in objection-V able inaccuracy in the work.

The present invention provides an organization for vertical adjustment of the stylus and its barrel without rotation, and/or turning thereof on its longitudinal axis, and also otherwise provides a highly desirable and advantageous stylus l5 mounting.

Using the machine disclosure of said patent as an example, any suitable supporting housing, such as I I, is provided for the tracing stylus barrel I3. This housing maintains the lateral spac- 20 ing between the stylus support or head and the machine cutter head, as well as the longitudinal axes of the cutter and stylus in parallelism and in this example vertical. This housing I I, provides a vertical tubular portion having a verti-f cal bore or slideway in which the tubular styluscarrying barrel I 3, is vertically slidable, and is held againstrotation or turning on its longitudinal axis. If so desired, the lower end portion of the tubular housing, can be provided with a normally fixed internal bearing bushing I Ie, through which barrel i3, is slidable and is preferably held against objectionable lateral play. If so desired, the lower end portion of the vertical tubular portion of said housing can be formed with a longitudinal slot, to constitute a split clamp IIJ, with a clamping screw or bolt IIg, for contraction on the bushing I le, if so desired, to rigidly hold the same, although my invention is not so limited.

Any suitable organization is provided for feeding the barrel I3, and the stylus, longitudinally toward and from the pattern and for holding the stylus to the pattern during a tracing and reproduction operation. For instance, the means for this purpose can be approximately the same as illustrated in said patent, and where such means are employed, the stylus carrying barrel I3, is provided with a longitudinal rack I 3e, in mesh with a toothed gear or pinion I3a, fixed on transverse rotary shaft |00, mounted in the housing II, and operatively coupled to the feed shaft for the cutter spindle, preferably in such manner that the cutter and stylus will be simultaneously fed toward and from the work and the pattern ,and can be manually held thereto. The shaft I0c, and pinion I3a, are shown housed in the supporting casing or housing II.

The tracing stylus spindle I2a, is straight and longitudinally elongated and extends through the barrel I3, projecting above and below the same, and is concentrically arranged therein for adjustment on its longitudinal axis longitudinally of said barrel, but is held in said barrel against rotation or turning on its longitudinal axis by any suitable means, for example by pin or key IZg, normally rigid with the barrel I3, and slidably fitting in longitudinal key way I2f, in the spindle.

The lower end of the stylus spindle I2a, is provided in any suitable manner for stylus removal and replacement, and to normally rigidly hold the stylus I2, in longitudinal alinement with the common axis of the spindle and barrel. In the particular example illustrated, the spindle is tubular with a central concentric bore, tapered at its lower end, to longitudinally receive the contractile stylus holding collet I2h, while the collet clamping and controlling rod or shaft I5, is at its lower end united by screw threads to the collet in the usual or any other suitable manner, and extends therefrom throughout the length of the spindle and beyond the upper end thereof, is provided with the usual rod rotating wheel or handle I5a.

The upper end of the longitudinally extended barrel I3, is provided with a longitudinally tubular head I6, normally rigid with said barrel and constituting an upward longitudinal extension thereof.

This head I6, forms an annular shoulder or abutment surrounding the barrel end, for the upper end of expansion coiled spring IIb, surrounding the barrel and more or less compressed between the top end of casing or housing I I, and said shoulder, mainly for the purpose of taking up slack between the teeth of the pinion I3, and the barrel rack, although I do not wish to so limit my invention.

The lower end portion of head I6, is preferably longitudinally split, see IGa, to constitute a split clamp, for contraction, and release for expansion, by clamping bolt or screw I6b, whereby the head is normally rigidly clamped on the upper end of the barrel, and can be removed therefrom and applied thereto, and adjusted longitudinally thereof if required.

The non-rotary spindle projects from the upper end of the barrel and extends longitudinally through head I6, and to a point above the same, and is longitudinally slidable therethrough for adjustment purposes.

The head I6, and the spindle are normally locked together against relative longitudinal movements, to move longitudinally together as a unit when propelled by the feed means hereinbefore described and the spring IIb. However, means are provided for longitudinal sliding adjustment of the spindle in and relative to the barrel and its head I5, while said spindle is held and maintained against rotary or turning movement on its longitudinal axis. For example, this relative adjustment of the spindle along the longitudinal axis of the barrel, is preferably performed by a screw threaded connection between the spindle and a rotary nut held to the barrel, preferably the head I6, against relative longitudinal movement. In the example shown, the upper end portion of the spindle is provided with an exterior longitudinal screw threaded portion |21', extending longitudinally into a tubular nut I1, and in mesn with the internally screw threaded portion of the bore of said nut. This nut is formed by a longitudinally elongated rotary sleeve or collar mounted in the head I6, against relative longitudinal movement and concentric with the barrel and spindle. The nut I1, as shown, is formed with an exterior accessible annular handle or finger hold Ila, by which it can be rotated and actuated. This nut preferably projects longitudinally upwardly beyond the head I6, and depends in the upper end of the head, the nut and the complementary internal wall of the head, providing cylindrical bearing surfaces that center a-nd provide for rotation of the nut, as well as horizontal slidably engaging annular abutting shoulders I1b, of the head and nut, limiting the downward movement of the nut within the head. The nut is conned against relative upward movement in the head by suitable means. For instance, the reduced lower end of the nut is longitudinally screw threaded, and a retaining nut I8, is screwed thereon, to retain washer I9, on

'said end of rotary nut I1, and against downwardly facing internal annular transverse shoulder I6c, of the head I6. The ring washer I9, is preferably confined to nut I1, to rotate therewith by pin I9a, entering a longitudinal exterior keyway in said lower reduced end of nut I1.

The adjusting nut I1, is thus journaled in the head I6, for rotation on the longitudinal axis of spindle I2a, while held against relative longitudinal movements by the shoulder of nut I 1, overhanging and resting on internal horizontal shoulder I1b, of the head, and ring I9, conned to the adjusting nut and bearing up against internal horizontal shoulder -I6c, of said head.

Suitable means can be provided, if so desired, to rigidly'lock the adjusting nut I1, to and against accidental rotary movement in head I6, after an accurate adjustment of the stylus spindle I2a, has been made. For instance, I show a rotary clamping screw 20, for this purpose, having exterior accessible rotating means 20a. This screw extends through and meshes with the thread of a radial hole in the head I6, so that the screw can clamp against a cylindrical portion o! nut I1, to lock or release said nut.

The dimensions and characteristics of the screw threaded connection between spindle I2a, and adjusting nut I1, are preferably such that accurate micrometer adjustments of the spindle can be made. It is also to be noted that the screw threaded connection with said spindle by which said spindle is longitudinally adjusted, is self locking in that the spindle is thereby locked in the longitudinal position to which adjusted, so long as rotative movement of the adjusting nut does not occur.

I preferably provide means whereby the spindle can be accurately adjusted to and set at a predetermined measured longitudinal distance. For instance, I show exterior collar or sleeve 2|, concentric with adjusting nut I1, and centered and relatively rotative on a cylindrical portion of said nut above head I6. with the bottom edge of collar 2I, slidably contacting the ilat annular top edge of head I6. This collar is preferably provided with exterior annular means, such as 2Ia, forming a nger hold or handle by which the collar can be moved rotatively on the adjusting nut. Said collar is also preferably provided with an accessible rotary clamping screw 2lb, by which the collar can be clamped to the adjusting nut for rotary movement therewith, or can be released for rotative movement on the nut. The circumference of the collar 2 I, is provided with a visiblecircumferential scale2 Ic preferably graduated in thousandths of an inch or more, for reading with an associated index mark (not shown) visible on the exposed top portion of head I6, adjacent the bottom end of the collar. The scale graduations indicate the distance the spindle will be adjusted vertically by rotation of the adjusting nut to carry the collar the distance from one graduation to the next graduation. Thus, if the spindle is to .be adjusted a predetermined distance, the clamping screw 2lb, is loosened and the collar is rotated backwardly the said predetermined distance as `indicated by the scale graduations and the xed index, and the collar is then clamped to the nut to rotate therewith. The 'adjusting nut I1, is then rotated forwardly carrying collar 2l, with it, the same distance that the collar had previously been moved rearwardly, until theV graduations for which set, have passed the xed visible index, thereby adjusting the spindle |2a, vertically the distance indicated by the collar graduations.

If so desired spring means can be provided to take up any possible slack or looseness between the adjusting' screw thread connection between spindle I 2a, and rotary adjusting nut Il. For instance, I show expansion coil spring 22, within the barrel I3, and surrounding the spindle |2a, and compressed between annular internal transverse shoulder ln, of the barrel, and collar 22m, normally xed on the spindle I2a.

What I claim is:-

1. In apparatus of the character, substantially as described; a non-rotary tracing stylus spindle; a non-rotary barrel carrying and concentric with said stylus spindle; and means whereby said barrel and spindle are normally locked together and feedable longitudinally as a unit, means being provided for adjusting said spindle longitudinally of said barrel' while said spindle and said barrel are held against axial rotation.

2. In a tracing stylus mounting, in combination, a tubular longitudinally-ieedable slide barrel; a tracing stylus spindle longitudinally arranged within said barrel and carried thereby; means holding said spindle against rotative movements Within said barrel; and screw thread connecting means between said non-rotary spindie and said barrel whereby said barrel and spindle are normallydocked together for longitudinal feeding movements as a unit, and whereby said spindle can be adjusted longitudinally of said barrel while maintained against rotation with respect to said barrel.

3. In a tracing stylus mounting; in combination, a tubular longitudinally-feedable slide barrel; a tracing stylus spindle arranged therein and carried thereby and held against rotative movements on its longitudinal axis with respect to said barrel; and screw thread connecting means between said spindle and said barrel normally holding the spindle and barrel against relative movements for feeding longitudinally as a unit, including a relatively rotative element for relatively adjusting said spindle longitudinally.-

4. A mounting for a. tracing stylus, comprising supporting means; a non-rotary stylus-spindle barrel; a non-rotary stylus spindle arranged longitudinally of and carried by said barrel; means holding said spindle and said barrel against axial rotation and an adjusting nut carried by said barrel and relatively rotative with respect to said barrel and said spindle and conned to said barrel against relative longitudinal movement, and having screw threaded connec-' 5 tion with said spindle for relative longitudinal adjustment of said spindle while said spindle is held against axial rotation.

5. A mounting for a tracing stylus, comprising a suitable support; a stylus spindle barrel mounted for feeding longitudinally toward and from a pattern; a non-rotary stylus spindle longitudinally mounted in and carried by said barrel; and an adjusting nut rotative with respect to the spindle and the barrel and carried by the barrel against substantial relative longitudinal movements, and having screw threaded connection with said barrel locking the spindle and barrel together for longitudinal feeding movements as a unit, said spindle being adjustable longitudinally of said barrel by rotative movements of said nut and being held in the position to which adjusted by said screw threaded con nection.

6. A mounting for a tracing stylus, comprising a support; a tubular barrel longitudinally feedable toward and from a pattern; a non-rotary stylus spindle carried by said barrel; a relatively rotative spindle adjusting nut concentric with said barrel and said spindle; means confining said rotary nut to said barrel against relative longitudinal movements; said spindle Vprovided with a longitudinally screw threaded portion meshing with the screw thread of said nut; a graduated-scale collar rotatively mounted on said nut; and means for releasably securing said collar to rotation with said nut. l

7. A mounting for a tracing stylus, comprising,

a support; a traeing-stylus-spindle barrel slidably mounted for longitudinally feeding toward 0 and from a pattern and against rotative movements; said barrel provided with a longitudinally projecting tubular head normally rigidly clamped thereto; a tracing stylus spindle mounted in said barrel and head against longitudinal movement and having a longitudinally -screw threaded portion; a rotary spindle feed nut concentric with said spindle and meshing with the screw thread thereof; and means rotatively mounting said nut in said head and against substantial movement longitudinally of said barrel and said spindle.

8. A mounting for a tracing stylus, comprising, a suitable support; a longitudinally slidable barrel providing a transverse spring abutment; a tracer stylus arranged longitudinally of and carried by said barrel and providing a transverse spring abutment; a screw threaded connection between said barrel and said spindle and normally locking the same together against relative movements, for feeding longitudinally -as a unit, said connection embodying means for relatively adjusting and setting said spindle longitudinally of the barrel; means for feeding said barrel and stylus as a unit longitudinally toward and from a pattern; and an expansion spring arranged longitudinally of said spindle and acting longitudinally on said barrel and spindle in opposite directions through said abutments.

PETER M. HENKEs. 7 

